Species detail

Paralecanium expansum metallicum belongs to the family Coccidae. These are known as soft scales because they are not protected by a cover (known as a test).

This particular scale insect has a strange and attractive appearance. They look like tiny metallic discs on leaves. Under a microscope the adult female is also a most curious-looking insect, with extraordinary marginal setae shaped like tiny table tennis bats.

Find out about the life cycle of this species and the interesting differences between male and female scale insects, and watch a film of crawlers emerging from the adult female.

Images

A living adult female Paralecanium expansum metallicum scale insect.

Paralecanium expansum metallicum adult female.The light has been adjusted to display the dorsal secretions in polygonal blocks. It also shows the roughened surface which seems to contribute to the insect's iridescence.

Phase-contrast photomicrograph of a Paralecanium expansum metallicum crawler, 0.5mm long. The specimen has been stained pink to make it easier to locate on the slide.

Photomicrograph of the curious modified marginal setae of an adult female Paralecanium expansum metallicum, which are shaped like tiny table tennis bats.